Curator’s statement
New Zealand’s South Island feels like the edge of the world—where glaciers, alpine lakes, and rugged coastlines create landscapes that seem almost cinematic. In a place where mountains, fjords, and remote valleys stretch far beyond the road network, helicopters become not just transportation but also the key to experiencing the landscape fully. Mornings begin slowly in lodges overlooking glassy lakes or wild, wind-swept seas, where coffee and generous breakfast spreads unfold against vast views. By mid-morning, helicopters lift off toward glacier landings and remote beaches that feel impossibly far from the rest of the world, followed by afternoons spent fly-fishing, rafting, or simply walking coastal farms before returning to the lodge for evenings of quiet.
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Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch & helicopter transfer to Annandale Seascape
Helicopter arrival at Seascape, Annandale’s secluded glass-fronted retreat on the Banks Peninsula
Arrive in Christchurch and transfer directly to the helicopter terminal for one of the most memorable arrivals in New Zealand. A short scenic helicopter flight brings you across the Banks Peninsula to Annandale’s Seascape, a striking glass-fronted couples' retreat perched alone on the coastline of a vast working farm.
Settle in and take time to enjoy the quiet—the ocean stretching endlessly in front of you, sheep grazing across the hills, and the sense of being completely removed from the outside world. Dinner is prepared privately by Annandale’s chef and delivered to your retreat, best enjoyed slowly as the sun sets over the Pacific.
Day 2: Exploring Annandale’s coastal wilderness
Walking across Annandale’s coastal farm toward Scrubby Bay, the property’s family compound where rugged cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean
Begin the day with breakfast at Seascape, watching the changing light over the sea from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Mid-morning, a helicopter picks you up directly outside your retreat for a scenic flight over the dramatic coastline, revealing hidden bays, rugged hills, and the remote landscapes that define the Banks Peninsula. A picnic lunch prepared by Annandale’s chef awaits back at Seascape and can be enjoyed on the deck overlooking the ocean.
Spend the afternoon exploring the massive coastal farm on foot or by bike, walking alongside grazing sheep and seabirds while taking in the peaceful rhythm of life on the land. Dinner is once again prepared by the chef and delivered to your retreat.
Day 3: Cooking with the chef & journey to Queenstown
The main lodge at Blanket Bay overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding Southern Alps
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at Seascape before joining the chef for a hands-on cooking experience highlighting fresh local ingredients and the flavors of the region. Afterward, depart Annandale and return to Christchurch before flying south to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the South Island.
From the airport, a scenic drive takes you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Blanket Bay, a beautiful lodge tucked beneath towering mountains near Glenorchy. Spend the evening settling in and enjoying dinner at the lodge, where the warm fireplaces and alpine setting create an atmosphere of classic New Zealand hospitality.
Day 4: Helicopters, glaciers & Milford Sound
Helicopter landing on a glacier in the Southern Alps
Begin the day with breakfast overlooking the lake and mountains at Blanket Bay. Mid-morning, depart by helicopter for an unforgettable scenic flight through the Southern Alps, landing on remote glaciers and flying above Milford Sound’s dramatic fjords and waterfalls. From the air, the braided rivers and jagged peaks of the Southern Alps reveal the scale of New Zealand’s wilderness in a way that is impossible to appreciate from the ground.
Returning to Blanket Bay for lunch offers time to relax and take in the surrounding wilderness. In the afternoon, head into Queenstown for a thrilling jet boating experience through narrow river canyons—one of the region’s signature adventures. Dinner can be enjoyed in town before returning to the lodge.
A note from Yidan
Morning flights typically offer the clearest views of the Southern Alps before weather moves in later in the day.
Day 5: Wānaka & arrival at Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
Helicopter arrival at Minaret Station Alpine Lodge deep in the Southern Alps
After breakfast at Blanket Bay, take a scenic drive through the mountains toward Wānaka, a charming lakeside town surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery. Spend time exploring the waterfront and enjoying lunch in town before continuing the journey into the Southern Alps. From a nearby helipad, a helicopter flight carries you deep into a remote alpine valley to Minaret Station Alpine Lodge—a secluded luxury lodge accessible only by air. The evening is best spent relaxing at the lodge, enjoying dinner, and stepping outside afterward to experience some of the clearest stargazing skies in the world.
Day 6: Alpine adventures at Minaret Station
Stargazing beneath the remarkably clear night skies of the Southern Alps
Wake to the quiet beauty of the alpine valley and enjoy breakfast at the lodge while looking out over the surrounding peaks. The day is dedicated to exploring this remote landscape through guided activities such as alpine hiking, fly fishing, or a helicopter excursion deeper into the Southern Alps. Lunch at the lodge provides a moment to slow down and take in the scenery before continuing the afternoon’s adventures. Return to the lodge in the evening for a relaxed dinner and another peaceful night surrounded by the mountains.
Day 7: Arrowtown & arrival at Rosewood Matakauri
Rosewood Matakauri overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables
After breakfast at Minaret Station, a helicopter returns you to Queenstown, where the journey continues by car to nearby Arrowtown. This charming, historic gold-mining village offers a glimpse into New Zealand’s past, with tree-lined streets, heritage buildings, and boutique cafés. After lunch and a stroll through town, continue on to Rosewood Matakauri, a beautifully positioned lodge overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the dramatic peaks of The Remarkables. Dinner at the lodge is a highlight, with exceptional cuisine served alongside panoramic alpine views.
Day 8: Lake Wakatipu & departure
Morning light over Lake Wakatipu from a guest suite at Rosewood Matakauri
Enjoy a final morning at Rosewood Matakauri with breakfast overlooking Lake Wakatipu. A gentle walk or hike around the property offers one last chance to take in the spectacular mountain scenery. Afterward, head into Queenstown for lunch before preparing for your onward journey, bringing to a close a remarkable exploration of New Zealand’s most cinematic landscapes.
Need to know
Helicopters are one of the most extraordinary ways to experience New Zealand’s South Island, offering access to landscapes that would otherwise take hours—or be impossible—to reach by road. Many of the region’s most extraordinary experiences, from glacier landings in the Southern Alps to picnics on remote beaches, are designed around helicopter access. Certain lodges, such as Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, are only reachable by helicopter, landing directly in a remote alpine valley surrounded by towering peaks.
Helicopters can also be used for seamless transfers between destinations, turning long drives into scenic journeys over mountains, lakes, and coastlines. For example, Annandale’s Seascape on the Banks Peninsula can be reached directly from Christchurch International Airport in a short helicopter flight that lands beside the retreat itself. Beyond convenience, flying by helicopter offers a completely different perspective of the South Island’s landscapes—braided rivers, glaciers, fjords, and hidden valleys unfolding below in a way that few travelers ever experience.
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Yidan DuPre
Yidan DuPre
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